The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-05-26
Correspondence FLoRtDIAx.l
Omcial Control of Sale of Fer.
tilixofe.

OmcIal Control of Sale of Fer.
tilixefs.
Editor Fzoridjan = 10 another column l have
asserted that the Thomas bill for the control Of
commercial fertilizers has certain serious de-
fecls that the Farrell bill avoids those defects,
and yet accomplishes the ends Of the law better
now explain those defects in detail:
/. The Thomas bill is more expensive than
the Farrell, by 81 200 yearly.
According to the Thomas plan, there must be
at least four nspectors-Georgia has six, who
receive salaries Of not over 81, 500 per annum.
On the inspectors depends largely the eff
feciveness of the law. They must be men of
high character and standing. The Thomas bill
allows them only 81 900 without travelling ex-
penses. 1t is doubtful whether the right men
for the place can be had at that rate There are
other reasons for supposing that the estimates
for the Thomas BILL though already much in
excess of those of Farnelrs, are too small To
omit the fact that he allows only 81 200 for
chemists salary, whereas other States pay
nearly double that, there is another point on
which the estimate of Mr.. Thomas is entirely
inadequate His bill allows only 81 900 for a
chemical apparatus" That means, ii any
thing the furnishing OF laboratory for the
chemist. In South Carolina, to give an example
the mere fitting up of the chemists work rooms
with chemicals, apparatus and furniture cost
f3,OO0. That is over and above the cost OF the
rooms themselves and also over and above the
furnishing of those rooms with water piping,
gas and gas tixings Those two items are in
dISpensihle To chemical laboratory and
would alone cost more than MIR. Thomas allows
Tor the whole outfit.
The Farncll bill lessons the cost of these
items by sending The chemical analysis To the
State Agricultural College, in connection with
which the State must, and is already founding
laboratory. These analyses thus become an
educational factor 10 the young men OF Florida
The Farnell bill, in addition to its many other
advantages, is thus made TO build up that most
important eiucational institution of Florida.
2 The Thomas bill obstructs farming opera
tons. The Fifncll bll does not.
Let us see how 1t works in Georgia, particularly
in the northern part of the State where the
fertilizer comes in by railroad. cargo of
fertilizer arrives, let US say at Gainesville from
Baltimore. Before 1t can be delivered to the
farmer, it must be inspected, and the tax col.
lccted. But the inspector is engaged at At
lanta, or, perhaps al some other town i'm his
territory, and must be sent for. In The mean
time the farmers are coming in Tor their
fertilizer. They must he told ut hasn't
been inspected yet; the tax hasn't been paid
| the Inspector Will get around next week per-
haps; come again" Besides the ANNOYANCE
thus incurred, the farmers are delayed in the
planting OF their crops. The Farnell bill avoids
| all liability 10 trouble of this kind
| Ii requires the tax to be paid directly To the
| Commissioner OF Agriculture before the fertilizer
| leaves the hands of the manufacturer The in.
| spector travels the State constanllv-especially
when the fertilizer season is at its height No
body knows when he is coming nor whittier he
| Is gong. He samples !rriliz:is wherever he
| comes across them and sends them to the Stat,
chemist tor analysis. No manufacturer will risk
| the reputation of his manure by placing an nfe
rlor article on HE market in the STATE III
| knows That he shall 1T any moment be bounce,
down upon by the Inspector, his imposition ex
| posed to his customer, The REPUTATION and sale o
his fertilizer ruined. All persons who deal II
fraudulent fertilizers are likcwise exposed to sc
! mons fines and other punishmenls
). The Thomas bill obs iucls quick through
treights and consequently increases costs
To lessen HE trouble described above certain
| towns IN each inspectors territory are declare,
ports OF entry All iertilz rs for that tcrrtor,
must be brought 10 these ports for inspection
suppose case. Suppose Live Oak il port of en-
try tor the northwestern section of the State 4
cargo of fertilizer destined for Gainesville saw
coming from Savannah, must stop at Live Oak
be unioadcd tor Inspection, reloaded and for
wardrd TO its destination
This and all the other above enumerated de
tects are inherent in the very nature and plan O
the Thomas bill. The Farncl bill avoids then
ALL and yet. as is shown by its operation i,
South Carolina and other States it prevents tn
Shte 9t 1auaaleA' lie iaaw Jhsr Is &ar iabessl
ter, than the Thomas plan
Very respectfully,
ONE WHO HAS STUDIED THE NATTER